Animal Profile

Knoxville is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Knoxville has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and is not allowing for minimal handling. His previous owner reported resource guarding behaviors in the home towards food and toys - growling, snapping. During his intake and medical exam, Knoxville began thrashing, growling, and leash biting with staff, requiring sedation. While in care, Knoxwille remains fearful and defensive, escalating to higher level warnings (snarling, baring teeth, etc.) when approached in the kennel and when being removed. His previous owner reported that he is an active dog who loves playing with toys and car rides. Medically, Knoxville has CIRDC.

Let's get to know each other a bit more...

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Knoxville is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Knoxville has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and is not allowing for minimal handling. His previous owner reported resource guarding behaviors in the home towards food and toys - growling, snapping. During his intake and medical exam, Knoxville began thrashing, growling, and leash biting with staff, requiring sedation. While in care, Knoxwille remains fearful and defensive, escalating to higher level warnings (snarling, baring teeth, etc.) when approached in the kennel and when being removed. His previous owner reported that he is an active dog who loves playing with toys and car rides. Medically, Knoxville has CIRDC. Knoxville has come to the care center due to his owner no longer being able to keep him due to a no-pet policy rule. In the prior home, it is noted that Knoxville is very loving and affectionate. He prefers to spend time around people in the living room and is energetic. Knox is very active and loves playing with toys. He is also not picky with food and will eat both dry and wet food. Know loves car rides and cuddles. Knoxville has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has displayed intense leash biting behavior and thrashing while on lead. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 74 lbs

Medical Notes

4/21/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3yrs based on dentition/conformation Microchip noted on intake? scans negative History: owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - leash-biting and thrashing when entering medical for vaccines; was sedated for exam and remainder of tasks Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: P = 100 R = 24 BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI; 2 testicles descended MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, long nails CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Approx. 3yr MI canine apparently healthy high FAS Prognosis: good Plan: sedated with dexdomitor 10mcg/kg + torb 0.2mg/kg IM for estimated weight of 65lbs; did not sedate and ketamine 2mg/kg was added; achieved moderate sedation Intake tasks trazadone 8mg/kg PO BID indefinitely Reversed with equal volume antesedan SURGERY: Okay for surgery

4/25/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing noted Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline PO SID x10 days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Knox was friendly and social at first with staff in the waiting room. When staff put leash on him, he snapped once at the leash, staff asked owner if that is normal for him to do and they said yes, he likes to play/tug when first putting leash on. When staff walked down to medical with Knox, he was tolerant and good on the leash. Once he got to medical, he became stressed and was whining and pulling hard on the leash with a tucked/stiff tail. After vaccinated, staff attempted to walk him into the pre-exam kennel when he pancaked in the hall then eventually started to thrash/leash bite. Staff let him reset and then he began to growl and thrash/leash bite again. Canine Behavior was called to assist further.

Basic Information:: Knox is a 4-year-old male dog that lived with his previous owner for 4 years.

Previously lived with:: adults and children

How is this dog around strangers?: Knox is friendly and social with new people.

How is this dog around children?: Knox is outgoing and playful with children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Knox is friendly and playful with other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: Knox does not have experience with cats.

Resource guarding:: Knox's previous owner stated he is a resource guarder and will growl/snap when you attempt to take his food away or toys.

Bite history:: Knox has no known bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: high

Other Notes:: Knox is known to pull hard on the leash while out on walks because of excitement. He is partially potty trained, will go while out on walks as well as on wee wee pads. Knox is not bothered when grooming but has a habit of biting at the leash when first putting it on.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Knox is very loving and affectionate. He prefers to spend time around people in the living room and is energetic. Knox is very active and loves playing with toys. He is also not picky with food and will eat both dry and wet food. Know loves car rides and cuddles. he knows the command "sit".

Date of intake:: 4/21/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: adults and children

Behavior toward strangers:: friendly and social with new people.

Behavior toward children:: outgoing and playful with children.

Behavior toward dogs:: friendly and playful with other dogs.

Behavior toward cats:: Knox does not have experience with cats.

Resource guarding:: Knox's previous owner stated he is a resource guarder and will growl/snap when you attempt to take his food away or toys.

Bite history:: No known reports of a bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Knoxville is noted to have a High energy level in the prior home.

Other Notes:: Knox is known to pull hard on the leash while out on walks because of excitement. He is partially potty trained, will go while out on walks as well as on wee wee pads. Knox is not bothered when grooming but has a habit of biting at the leash when first putting it on. Knox is very loving and affectionate. He prefers to spend time around people in the living room and is energetic. Knox is very active and loves playing with toys. He is also not picky with food and will eat both dry and wet food. Know loves car rides and cuddles. he knows the cues"sit".

Date of assessment:: 4/28/2026

Summary:: 4/28: Due to Knoxville's fearful defensive behavior, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.

Summary (7):: 4/28: Knoxville is standing at the front of his kennel when a handler enters the room. They see ropes of saliva hanging out of his mouth and begin growing. The handler drops some treats in, and he picks the pieces closest to him, body tense. Once he is done eating, he slowly raises his head and hard stares. He breaks his gaze when the handler shows him a squeaky tennis ball. An ACS enters the room and slides a tray of food into his kennel. Knox begins eating, but then begins hovering over the food and growling while staring at the ground. The handler waits until he is done eating to take a better picture of him before leaving. 4/26/26 (KSV): Knoxville is lying down in his kennel as the handler approaches. He approaches the front with a wagging tail. He then becomes tense and bares teeth, growls, and tries to snap at the handler's hand as they try to offer a treat. He then begins to jump up at the door with a tense body while barking hard and doesn't respond to treats the handler would toss over into the kennel. He does not respond to a squeaker. He then eats the treats after the handler walks away and exits the room. 4/23: Knoxville is reported not to move to the other side of his kennel for cleaning. He continues to display a stiff body, teeth bared, as he snarls. Due to his kennel being heavily soiled, he is removed from the kennel and moved to the other side for cleaning. Knox flinches once leashed, opened mouth, still vocalizing. A hook is used to remove the lead. 4/22: When a handler approaches, Knoxville is growling, baring teeth at the front of his kennel. He does not take treats and retreats to the back of his kennel when the handler unlocks the door. His eyes remain wide as he stands on his tiptoes, snarling with his teeth bared. To avoid further stress, the handler closes the door and does not make further attempts to remove him from his kennel, as it was clean

Date of intake:: 4/21/2026

Summary:: Snapped at leas , thrashed

Date of initial:: 4/21/2026

Summary:: leash-biting and thrashing when entering medical for vaccines; was sedated for exam and remainder of

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Knoxville fearfulness, we recommend that he be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Knoxville has come to the care center due to his owner no longer being able to keep him due to a no-pet policy rule. In the prior home, it is noted that Knoxville is very loving and affectionate. He prefers to spend time around people in the living room and is energetic. Knox is very active and loves playing with toys. He is also not picky with food and will eat both dry and wet food. Know loves car rides and cuddles. Knoxville has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has displayed intense leash biting behavior and thrashing while on lead. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Knoxville previous owner stated he is a resource guarder and will growl/snap when you attempt to take his food away or toys. It is essential to work on desensitizing his to having his possessions handled by using techniques like trading up for higher-value items and practicing "drop it" and "leave it". Please see handout on Resource guarding. Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/Leash-biting: Knoxville is noted to growl leash bite and thrash during his intake and medical exam. Training should focus on lowering arousal before leashing, reinforcing calm engagement with high-value rewards, and teaching alternative behaviors to replace leash-biting. Please see the handout on arousal leash biting and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Strength/leash pulling: Knoxville is noted to pull hard on the lead in the prior home. Using tools like a no-pull harness and consistent leash training can help manage her pulling behavior. Please see the handout on Strength/leash pulling.